Integration of earthquake risk- sensitivity into landuse planning: An approach for a local level area at development phase

Abstract

Earthquake risks in cities are compounded due to unplanned development in high-risk areas. To address this issue, Risk-sensitive landuse planning (RSLUP) has been considered very important in recent years. It is the process of mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and management parameters in landuse planning is termed as Risk-sensitive Land Use Planning (RSLUP). This research aims to propose a methodology to integrate earthquake risk sensitivity in landuse planning (RSLUP strategies) for a local level area at the development phase. For this purpose, Uttara Residential Model Town (URMT) (third phase), Dhaka, Bangladesh has been selected as the study area considering its earthquake risk for exposure to a potential earthquake. The area is in the process of development. So there is still scope to integrate risk sensitivity in the proposed landuse plan. This research has been carried out in two steps. Firstly, assessment of the earthquake risk sensitivity of the proposed landuse plan of the study area on the basis ofbased on the risk themes: macro-form risks, risks in urban texture, risks in land-use incompatibilities, risks in hazardous uses, special risk areas, risks in building stocks, open space scarcity risk, and risks in critical facilities. Secondly, formulate RSLUP strategies to be incorporated in the proposed plan addressing the assessed risks accordingly. Here, a combination of analytical and participatory approaches has been applied to ensure applicability as well as acceptability. This research will may guide policymakers to understand the importance and application of RSLUP and thereby take necessary steps for this purposeto mainstream RSLUP in the process of landuse planning and thereby to increase earthquake resiliency of an area.